By Philip Mwakio
Efforts to acquire the controversial Navy oceanographic survey vessel, KNS Jasiri, which is moored off a Spanish shipyard is gaining momentum, Move It has learnt.
Sources say the Kenya Navy has already identified and assembled a crew of between 100 to 200 sailors to be flown to Spain to man the ship as it makes it way to Kenya later in the year.
The acquisition and/or assembly of this vessel was one of the many taken on under the infamous Anglo-leasing projects. Naval Maritime experts have alluded to the fact that originally, KNS Jasiri, was to be used mainly for echo sounding and floor charting for aspiring underwater vessels.
However, somewhere between the construction, it emerged that the vessel’s roles had changed. The ship was now supposed to fill a gap in the military deep water ventures —which were scaled up following the Somali piracy menace.
It is still unclear whether the Government will commission a second research vessel to carry out the oceanographic survey, or if a private contractor will carry the research.
Armament
“Prior to sailing home, the ship will go to Italy where armament will be refitted on it as it takes up naval warship duties, “ the source added.
The source added that the vessel was expected in the country before the end of the year. The ship will use the Suez Canal, go down the Red Sea, transit the Gulf and enter the Indian Ocean through Somali waters, before docking in Mombasa.
This development comes after the Parliamentary Budget Committee recommended that Sh3.6 billion be paid out to the vessel’s manufacturer, Euromarine, who had entered into a contract in 2003.
If and when the vessel joins the Kenya navy fleet, it will be the largest ship in the navy flotilla.
The Kenya Navy ranks among the top navies in the East Coast and ranks second to the South African navy in terms of firepower and equipment
